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Travel: Four Mumbaikars reveal their must-haves during a trip

Friday

Anthony Bourdain

Avani Yashwin, hairstylist‘Shampoo and conditioner’
Sure, hotels will provide you with the stuff, but if you have hair that has been coloured or chemically treated, it’s best to stick to products that will protect your locks. And if you think you’ll be able to pick it up once you arrive at your destination, that may not always work out. Another thing you can carry is dry shampoo. It is a stop-gap measure until you can wash your hair , as it soaks up all the excessive oil on your scalp.

While navigating airport security, I’ve learned it’s best to carry miniatures of your hair and body products, whether lotions or perfumes. Also, use a bag that has compartments, so you’re not always fishing through stuff to find one thing.

Nicolette Gore, singer‘My guitar and pepper spray’
Within India, I travel by road as much as possible, and make use of local transport. Luckily, I’ve never had to use the pepper spray on anyone so far. And this is despite the fact that I travel through far-flung, little villages that most don’t know names for. However, it’s something I always pack, because it’s better to be safe.

Of course, I don’t go anywhere without my guitar. So, if I have to take it with me on a flight, which can get quite cumbersome, I usually ask the flight attendants to place it in the suit/coat closet on the aircraft. So far, I have never been refused; they’re happy to help.

Rohan D’Souza, chef‘A tablet loaded with food research’
I always carry a tablet with all the research I’ve done on my destination — where to eat, what to try, what to bring back. Speaking of bringing back food, make sure that any eatables you’re getting in from overseas are packed well. Moreover, every country has its own compliancy laws, so make sure you check the list before buying any food to bring back. To stay on the safe side, I carry non-perishable, processed items.

When it comes to alcohol, I prefer to skip the usual Jack Daniel’s and Johnnie Walker, and get a liquor that’s specific to the region I’m travelling to.

On long-haul flights, I like to carry a two-pin socket, which lets me connect my own headphones to the jack on the seat.

Ruel Rebello, photographer‘A camera and torch’
I prefer travelling by road, and exploring places that are off the beaten path. Which means that I always have a torch on me, just in case I happen to land in the middle of nowhere, with no street lights to guide me.

The second item I carry is my camera, whether it’s a DSLR or my smartphone.

I also make it a point to travel light. On personal trips, I take a camera and just one set of lens. Also, I pack cup noodles and drinking water, in case there’s no food stop around.